Apr 13, 2016 4:00:27 AM
Athletic Bilbao is feeling the strain of a demanding season ahead of its crunch Europa League clash with Sevilla, says Ernesto Valverde.
Ernesto Valverde believes the effects of a long season are being felt by Athletic Bilbao ahead of Thursday's Europa League quarter-final second leg with La Liga rivals Sevilla.
Holders Sevilla - who are seeking a third successive Europa League title - are in pole position to progress to the last four having claimed a 2-1 win at San Mames last week.
Europa League top scorer Aritz Aduriz put Bilbao ahead, only for Timothee Kolodziejczak and Vicente Iborra to give Sevilla the advantage going into the return fixture at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.